Reading, PA (July 1, 2019) – The Reading Royals announced Monday Nick Luukko has been named Royals assistant coach. A West Chester, PA native, Luukko was Reading’s captain in 2018-19 and generated a career-high ten goals and 32 points. The defenseman played four full seasons with the Royals (2015-19) and registered 87 career points, the most ever by a Reading blueliner. His 272 games played rank fourth most in team history.

“[Head Coach] Kirk MacDonald and I think the game similarly having played under him for the past four seasons and I’m excited to start my coaching career in a place that is home,” Luukko said. “I’ve always enthusiastic about learning the game and captaining the Royals last season allowed me to become more of a teacher in the locker room. I would like to thank Kirk, General Manager David Farrar and the BCCCA for this opportunity.”

“Nick is a tireless worker, excellent leader and great person,” said MacDonald. “He did a terrific job as our captain last season and his knowledge of our culture and what it takes to have success in Reading will allow him to transition seamlessly into his new role as assistant coach.”

The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Luukko in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft (179th overall) and he spent all of his four full professional seasons in the Flyers organization. He skated in seven AHL games with Lehigh Valley, six of which came in 2014-15 after completing his senior season at the University of Vermont. With the Catamounts, the right-handed shot compiled eight goals and 35 points in 131 games.

Luukko won the USHL’s Clark Cup championship in 2011 for Dubuque, where he was coached by current Dallas Stars Head Coach Jim Montgomery.

Royals season memberships and mini-plans are available for 2019-20 by heading to royalshockey.com/restoretheroar, visiting the Royals Box Office at Santander Arena (700 Penn Street) and calling 610-898-7825. The first Royals’ home game is Sat., Oct. 19 vs. Maine at 7:00 p.m., featuring a massive block party, games, food, drinks and a special “Downtown Alive” concert on Penn Street before the home opener.

For the latest team news, visit royalshockey.com/news, and follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/ReadingRoyals), Twitter (Twitter.com/ReadingRoyals) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ReadingRoyals). Use #RestoreTheRoar to join the conversation.

About the Royals The Royals are entering their 19th ECHL season and are proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs 14 times, and are four-time division champions. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals along with the Santander Arena and the Santander Arena Performing Arts Center.

Listen to all Royals broadcasts at Mixlr.com/ReadingRoyals or by downloading the Mixlr App from the App Store or Google Play. All Royals away games are broadcast on BCTV (Ch. 15 Comcast, Ch. 19 Service Electric) and Mixlr.